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General Motors U.S. Sales Up 6 Percent To 272,512 Vehicles In July 2015

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Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 272,512 new vehicles in July 2015, a 6.3 percent increase compared to July 2014. Sales of the Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC brands were up year-over-year, while those of Cadillac were down. Even so, the results represent the four brands’ best combined July since 2007.

“The second half of 2015 is off to a great start, with industry sales above expectations,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “GM has been steadily growing its commercial sales and retail market share, thanks to our strong truck and crossover portfolio. We feel very good about our truck strategy heading into the late summer and fall, when those segments usually heat up. We are the only manufacturer that has completely revamped its entire lineup of large SUVs, and mid-size, light duty and heavy duty pickups.”

July 2015 highlights (vs. July 2014, except as noted):

General Motors:

Retail deliveries up 14 percent, allowing GM to gain retail market share for the fourth month in a row and representing GM’s best July for retail sales since 2007

Fleet deliveries were down 20 percent as the company continues to execute its plan to reduce sales to rental customers and grow commercial and government deliveries.

Government sales were up 38 percent, with deliveries to state and local governments up 59 percent

Commercial deliveries were up year over year for the 21st consecutive month

Rental deliveries were down 36 percent, or approximately 13,500 units. GM expects a further year-over-year decline in the range of 15,000 – 17,000 units in the month of August

In the second half of the year, planned reductions in rental deliveries are expected to total more than 60,000 units. Rental deliveries in the first half of the year were down more than 18,000 units.

GM continues to prioritize retail sales of its new full-size Chevrolet and GMC SUVs. Retail deliveries were up 6 percent while fleet deliveries were down 68 percent.

Calendar year to date, commercial deliveries were up 17 percent, government sales are up 4 percent and rental deliveries are down 11 percent. Total fleet deliveries are down 2 percent.

Pickup sales to fleets have increased year-over-year for 15 straight months due to strong demand from commercial and government customers. Commercial pickup sales are up 33 percent calendar year to date.

Average Transaction Prices (ATPs):

ATPs continue to be strong, with July ATPs being $33,800, up about $200 month-over-month, and about $530 year-over-year

The ongoing success of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra helped drive the ATP increase; full-size pickup truck ATPs were up $230 month-over-month and more than $1,000 year-over-year

Calendar year to date, GM’s incentive spending was 10.9 percent of ATP, up 0.2 percentage points, in line with the industry change

In July, GM’s incentive spending was 12.5 percent of ATP, up 0.4 percentage points from June 2015; the industry was up 0.3 percentage points

Chevrolet sales increased 7.78 percent to 188,790 units:

Chevrolet had its best July sales since 2006

Chevrolet crossover deliveries have increased year-over-year for eight consecutive months to make for the best July crossover sales ever

Colorado accounted for 7,209 deliveries, remaining America’s fastest-selling pickup with a “days to turn” of 16 days

Silverado was up 33.93 percent to 56,380 units

Malibu was up 18.36 percent to 16,022 units overall, and retail sales were up 25 percent

Impala was down 15.36 percent to 8,156 units overall, but was up 9 percent in retail sales

SS was up 33.2 percent to 321 units

Trax accounted for 6,111 deliveries, its best month since launch

City Express accounted for 1,004 deliveries

Sales of all other Chevrolet models were down on a year-over-year basis

Cadillac sales were down 7.13 percent to 14,154 units:

SRX was up 46.84 percent to 6,753 units

Sales of all other Cadillac models were down on a year-over-year basis:

ATS was down 38.5 percent to 1,588 units

CTS was down 25.7 percent to 1,515 units

XTS was down 32.85 percent to 1,302 units

ELR was down 64.89 percent to 66 units

Escalade was down 32.35 percent to 1,669 units

Escalade ESV was down 11.63 percent to 1,261 units

GMC sales increased 1.45 percent to 48,777 units:

Acadia was up 31.82 percent to 10,671 units for its best month ever, and 18th consecutive month of increased retail sales

The Sierra and Canyon have the highest average transaction prices (ATPs) in their respective segments, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates, with the Sierra enjoying the highest ATPs of any pickup in the industry.

Sierra was up 13.27 percent to 19,808 units

Canyon accounted for 2,654 deliveries

Sales of all other GMC models were down on a year-over-year basis

Buick sales increased 17.58 percent to 20,791 units for its best July since 2006:

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9 Comments

What is going on with Cadillac ? The only bright spot for them is their 6 year old SRX ! This division has problems . GMs brand new full size SUVs aren’t selling either and gas prices are lower than this time last year . The Escalade was the highlight of Cadillac , hmmmmm . I do believe it’s time for Mary B. and Johan N. to have a heart to heart and get this Division back on track .

First–Yes this is bad and is a monumental problem. Totally out of sync with competitors in SUV/CUV segment–very bad.

Second–Yes, but what do they have in inventory? Last time I checked in excess of 120 Days worth of CTS &; ATS.

Third–Escalade sales are down percentage wise more than either the Chevy’s or GMC’s and in GM press release they state a lot of that in Chevy and GM is due to pullback from rental/fleet–no mention of Cadillac. I will just surmise than everyone who “had to have” a new Escalade has already purchased and those who don’t have major sticker shock!

I hope you are right that they bottom out soon because I’m not sure how much lower they can go.

If it weren’t for SRX sales(juiced by incentives and so old still available with Conestoga wagon wheels) the catastrophic drop in sales would not be partially masked.

There will be some very trying times as they basically tell most of their existing customers–get lost and attempt to gain conquest sales–something I believe is almost totally unobtainable in today’s competitive market. I’m hoping I’m wrong but the $12B investment is a crap shoot at best.

First – after XT5 there will be a dirth of SUV/CUV’s from Cadillac for a few years as its competitors pull ahead further in that regard. That was a huge oversight in planning but decisions made before de Nysschen came on board.
I agree that incentives are the most likely cause of the sharp spike in SRX sales but curiously they advertise it more than any other Cadillac in my area.

Second – 120 day supply. .
Recent Autonews article that Cadillac dealers were down to an average of 77 days to turn for their inventory. I suspect that V model press will give them a slight bump.

Third – sure this one is a little more perplexing.
Looking at the numbers though, Escalade is is the only model (Tahoe & Yukon ) showing a year over year increase.
It is still a money maker and gaining customers in spite of the premium price.

Martin I agree that to get Cadillac healthy is a long term process and the $12 billion is not a guarantee fix but at least there is a person at the helm with a clear plan, the backing of the board and some resources to make it happen.

A lack of a real marketing plan and alienating loyal past clientele is unforgivable but this is a work in progress and I hope they are not to late.

On point two, the 77 days is probably total Cadillac. This figure is seriously skewed by the relatively quick turnover of the SRX and Escalade. When I get my next issue of Automotive News with inventory figures I will let you know. With that being said, every time I checked recently, the CTS and ATS had around 120 days in inventory. Why produce them if you can’t sell them or won’t price them to sell them. I guess it is a lot easier to pressure the dealers to move a product that is not really in demand.

I constantly keep reading Cadillac marketing sucks. Marketing can only do so much to move product–the product needs to be top-notch, all the marketing in the world won’t change that. The issue is, very few Cadillac models rank 1st in any competitive reviews and in many that count with the purchasing public–they get less than favorable ratings.

Whether we like it or not, people read Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Road & Track, listen to Autoweek on TV and yes Consumers Report. I believe the only recommended Cadillac in CR is the CTS. The reliability ratings of the ATS have been abysmal and I believe most other Cadillacs are less than average other than the SRX and CTS. What a sad commentary for a luxury line of automobiles.

Odd that Acadia outsells the Enclave by a wide margin, since they’re variations on the same model. Maybe a value proposition? Acadia gives you the same features for 5k less.

And Cadillac – is it too early to call it a dire situation? A 6 yr old SRX is their lone bright spot – I know the current team has only had a year, but they’re in desperate need of a winner.

I guess the 2016 models will tell us a lot about their leadership, and the chances of success. The invisibility of marketing isn’t doing them any favors: the reality of the market vs the vision Johan and GM have for the brand seem to be butting heads.

1. Profitability: keep in mind that Cadillac is still very much profitable at the current numbers.

2. Product: over the next 5 years, Cadillac will finally have the right product in the crossover department — which is what is responsible for the sales drop. CUVs/SUVs are hot right now compared to passenger cars.

3. Image/brand: #2 will increase sales and brand image. The product, specifically the new crossover lineup, will be great, people will buy them, others will notice, and the momentum will build from there.

Again, Cadillac is in a huge transitionary period right now, and it will be for the next 2-3-4 years. Let’s look at sales by the time 2020 hits, not a year after GM decided to take Caddy seriously.

Is it to early to call it a dire situation ? Not at all . 2016 is going to be a tuff year if ; 1) The XT5 comes to market with a huge price increase that scares off the owners of the SRX looking to trade , and 2) If sales of the CT6 follow what is now happening to the Escalade . At first the sales of both will look good , these will be the group that wants what is new , but after that will sales tank or grow ? No one one can read that crystal ball , we will just have to wait and see . Production of the A & CTS for ’16 will be what it is now , one shift with a slower line speed . They wont over build them again because the sales are not there . If you build them they will come – wrong ! The ’16’s are being built right now , its time to spend some money Johan on MARKETING . Your the captain of the ship its time for a different course, Cadillac cant afford to wait until your target date of 2020 . There is sheetmetal to move now with the products you have .